I mean, we probably can't prevent it getting worse because of the 10-20 year lead time on CO2/temperature, we're locked in to that.
But if we act immediately now, we can reduce the rate at which things continue to get worse in a couple of decades time.
And even if the situation is runaway, that would reduce how rapidly things run out of control.
Efforts to do that are probably going to have a much bigger effect than a lot of adaptations people are talking about, since some of the changes we're in for are so vast that there isn't going to be much avoiding them.
While climate change is going to have some profound and devastating effects, it's not on that timescale. If anything, when hard times hit, you'll regret having less of a financial cushion.
I think you are probably right about that. But I am making assumptions about GPs financial situation.
It is really an individual choice whether you want that financial cushion in the future, or you'd rather enjoy your life now.
I think there's a good chance, especially if you're in a lower financial bracket, that whatever you'd put in to a 401(k) might end up having no real benefit for you (due to inflation, financial collapse, or just that the value returned is too small or too late to make a difference in meaningful life outcomes for you).
It doesn't necessarily mean GP is imagining a sudden crashing collapse or nuclear war in 2030 or something.
